Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Something in the air

As is well known, Alter Rebbe had three cheiderim: from Aleph to Gimmel. Cheider Aleph was more complicated than Beis, and Beis than Gimmel. Talmidim from a lower cheider were naturally not allowed to sit on the classes of a higher cheider. But the opposite was  also true.

One chossid from the cheider Aleph really wanted to hear what Alter Rebbe was teaching in the cheider Gimmel. So, he bribed some of the talmidim there (with promises of Chassidus) to sneak him in. He hid under a table. Then it turned out that Alter Rebbe was being delayed. So, he said: “I am going to sleep here in the corner; when the Rebbe enters the building, wake me up.”

After a while, Alter Rebbe suddenly entered the building, and the talmidim hurriedly woke the chossid up. He didn’t have time to wash nigleh vasser, but since one is not necessarily obligated to do so after having slept during the day, he just went back to his hiding place under the table. Alter Rebbe came in and immediately said: “Oy, there is ruach tumah in here.” The chossid jumped out from under the table and ran out.

* * *

A similar story had happened to Alter Rebbe himself. One year in Mezeritch, he didn’t have a metal cup for the seider. So, he kashered a glass cup by filling it up with water and letting it sit for a day and then repeating it two more times. According to most opinions — but not all — that is ok.

Then, when the seider was about to start, the Maggid was hesitant. He was waiting and waiting, and finally got up and started walking around. He came to Alter Rebbe and asked him about the origins of the cup. Alter Rebbe told him. The Maggid said: “There is a malach standing next to me and not allowing me to start the seider. He says that according to some, there is chometz on my table. Please throw this cup away — I will share my cup with you.”

This part of the story is my favorite: “According to some, there is chometz on my table.”

14 comments:

Just like a guy said...

You know what they say, "You can't go back home".

Anarchist Chossid said...

No I don’t. Who says that, when, and what does it have to do with the post?

Just like a guy said...

Essentially, what I'm saying is that once you reach past a stage in life there's no going back. You may look back longingly at a previous station in your life, but it's impossible to ever return to where you once were.

Anarchist Chossid said...

This is probably true.

And what does it have to do with either of the two stories?

Just like a guy said...

Read the first story again.

Anarchist Chossid said...

Are you saying that chassidim of cheider gimmel were younger (in progress of study) than the chassidim of cheider alef? I was under impression that they were simply on different levels to begin with. (Otherwise, if the alef-chassidim had already attended the gimmel-cheider, why would such a chossid want to know what was taught there?)

Just like a guy said...

No, I'm not saying it's necessarily an age thing, it's a stage-in-life thing.

Anarchist Chossid said...

But again, I had thought that Alef were just holier than Gimmel. Or more intelligent. Someone from Alef being forbidden to attend a class from Gimmel would be like someone going to graduate school being forbidden to attend a lecture for medical-school students.

Or, perhaps, they were just learning different shittos in Elokus. E.g., a student learning S"V shouldn't compare notes with a student learning M"G or with a student learning A"B. They will just get confused.

Just like a guy said...

Perhaps. Ask your Mashpia.

Anarchist Chossid said...

Regarding the pshat of the story? That's not what a mashpia is for.

Just like a guy said...

Nu, so who should explain it to you?

Anarchist Chossid said...

I'll consult the Igros and let you know.

Anarchist Chossid said...

The Rebbe said my interpretation is correct.

Just like a guy said...

We're happy for you.